Chapter 4
In less than an hour after arriving in St. Thomas, Monica wholeheartedly agreed with Daniel that the lush island held a breathtaking appeal. As they slowly made their way towards one of the better-known white sand beaches, Monica found herself lingering at the local shops and street vendors.
"I know you want to get to the beach," she told him, "but I'm enjoying just walking around. The warm breeze feels good on my face. If you want to go ahead, that's fine. I know who to see if I want to snorkel."
"Are you sure?" Daniel asked, trying not to let his disappointment show. He thought he would be spending the day with Monica, showing her the wonders of the sea life.
She nodded. "I'm sure."
"Okay. I'll be at Sapphire Beach if you want to see me later."
Sapphire Beach. Hearing the word "sapphire" caused Monica to look at her hand. Too many words still sent her reeling because she would always associate them with Chandler.
**
Chandler had no sooner stepped into the St. Thomas airport than his cell phone rang.
"Hello?" he said, sounding a bit agitated.
"Chandler, it's me, Joey. Where are you? Have you seen Monica yet?"
"No, I'm at the airport. I just landed. I have to find out how to get to the ship from here."
"I have something to tell you."
Joey stole a glance at Phoebe, who was in the apartment with him. She knew what he planned to tell Chandler; she shrugged her shoulders to let him know she didn't care.
"What?"
"Richard isn't on that cruise, at least as far as we know. Phoebe said that so you would do exactly what you're doing."
"I should've known," Chandler said and sighed. "Rachel would've told me if Monica had said something about Richard. Well, I'm here now. I'm not going back home until I've at least had a chance to talk to Monica, if she'll talk to me."
"Good luck, man. I hope this works out for you guys."
"Thanks. Tell Phoebe I'll deal with her when I get back."
Joey laughed. "Sure, dude. Whatever you say."
"I gotta go," Chandler said.
"So, what did he say?" Phoebe asked, when Joey was off the phone. "Was he mad? Like really, really mad?"
"I don't think so. He sounded kinda strange. But he did say he'd deal with you when he got back. I'm sorry, Pheebs, but I just didn't want him to think he was competing with Richard when he's not."
"Oh, well," Phoebe said airily. "What do I care? It's only Chandler."
**
Early in the afternoon, Monica decided to head to Sapphire Beach. She realized this might be her only chance to snorkel; she decided not to pass it up. The beach was crowded when she arrived. She figured she'd never find Daniel, but that didn't stop her from asking one of their guides how to go about getting snorkeling equipment.
When she had everything she needed, including an underwater camera, she headed for the bluest water she'd ever seen. So inviting, she thought, as her bare feet sank deeper into the warm sand. After putting on her equipment, she quickly found herself waist deep in water, ready to view the exotic underwater life.
Fish of every size, shape and color swam by her. Some stopped for a moment thinking she would feed them. When she stepped away or snapped a picture, they moved on, splashing her with their fins. Completely in awe, she finally came up for some much-needed air. She removed her mask and snorkel to wipe her face and found herself staring into Daniel's emerald green eyes.
"I knew you'd make it here eventually," he said and smiled. "This beach is too awesome to miss."
"I agree. I just saw the most colorful, vibrant fish. I'm so glad you told me about this beach and that our guide gave me a camera to use."
"I have another fantastic place to take you to if you'd like."
"Sure," Monica said, the day in the sun and water helping to revive her, "I'm up for anything."
"Even some hiking?"
She nodded.
"May I?" Daniel asked, holding out his hand to take hers. "We'll return our equipment, dry ourselves off, and then I'll take you to the best place."
She slipped her small hand into his larger one and felt the immediate warmth.
"Lead the way."
**
Two hours later, Monica and Daniel sat at an outdoor café at the top of St. Peter Mountain, overlooking the entire island.
"I gotta get pictures of this," she enthused. "I can't believe how gorgeous it is here. The gang back home will never believe..."
Once more her voice trailed off and once more Daniel knew why.
"Here," he said, trying his hardest to distract her, "drink some of your banana daiquiri. It's the trademark of this particular place."
**
The sun began its descent when Monica and Daniel, holding hands once more, walked back towards the "Coral Sea".
"You seem truly relaxed for the first time since I've met you," Daniel observed. "I told you those daiquiris would do wonders for you."
Monica laughed. "I only had one, and I didn't finish that. This has been nice. I've really enjoyed myself, for the first time in I don't know how long."
"We still have four more days and another stop at St. Croix. If you want, we can plan to spend our remaining time together."
Monica looked up at him, the green in his eyes heightened against his tanned complexion. "I think I'd like that," she said, beginning to realize just how much his idea appealed to her.
**
Because much of the crew was spending the day in St. Thomas, Chandler had been referred to several people before he finally spoke to the right person who showed him to his cabin.
"You're welcome to tour St. Thomas for about an hour, if you'd like. We're set to leave in three hours."
"That's okay. I'd rather just stay on the ship."
"We have everything you need. The dining room is open, you can order room service..."
"Thanks. I'll look around. I want to familiarize myself with my surroundings."
"Of course. If you need anything, just ask."
Chandler walked around, not really knowing what exactly he expected to find. He figured Monica had spent the day in St. Thomas. A part of him hoped she was alone, but another part of him hoped she hadn't been spending all her time holed up in her cabin.
Despite what Joey had said, Chandler wouldn't have been at all surprised to round a corner and find Richard staring at him. That's just the kind of luck he had.
He didn't feel the least bit hungry, but the thought of a beer made his mouth water. He found the bar, slid onto a stool, and ordered a cold draft.
"You're one of the few who didn't leave the ship," the bartender commented.
"Actually, I just got here."
"We don't have that happen too often. Did you get delayed?"
"Something like that."
"You missed one of the favorite stops on this cruise."
"Is that right? Well, that's the way my luck has been..."
Chandler stopped mid-sentence when he heard her unmistakable laugh. Setting the frosty mug on the counter, he turned around to make certain he wasn't hearing things and received the biggest shock of his life.
No, it most certainly wasn't Richard, but there she was. There was Monica, the woman he loved, holding hands and smiling up at a man he'd never seen before.
Daniel's steps ceased; Monica wanted to know why. Her eyes followed his and for just a second, her world and her heart stopped. Standing a few away, confusion clearly written in his blue eyes, was Chandler. Monica expelled the breath she didn't realize she had been holding. What was he doing here?
In less than an hour after arriving in St. Thomas, Monica wholeheartedly agreed with Daniel that the lush island held a breathtaking appeal. As they slowly made their way towards one of the better-known white sand beaches, Monica found herself lingering at the local shops and street vendors.
"I know you want to get to the beach," she told him, "but I'm enjoying just walking around. The warm breeze feels good on my face. If you want to go ahead, that's fine. I know who to see if I want to snorkel."
"Are you sure?" Daniel asked, trying not to let his disappointment show. He thought he would be spending the day with Monica, showing her the wonders of the sea life.
She nodded. "I'm sure."
"Okay. I'll be at Sapphire Beach if you want to see me later."
Sapphire Beach. Hearing the word "sapphire" caused Monica to look at her hand. Too many words still sent her reeling because she would always associate them with Chandler.
**
Chandler had no sooner stepped into the St. Thomas airport than his cell phone rang.
"Hello?" he said, sounding a bit agitated.
"Chandler, it's me, Joey. Where are you? Have you seen Monica yet?"
"No, I'm at the airport. I just landed. I have to find out how to get to the ship from here."
"I have something to tell you."
Joey stole a glance at Phoebe, who was in the apartment with him. She knew what he planned to tell Chandler; she shrugged her shoulders to let him know she didn't care.
"What?"
"Richard isn't on that cruise, at least as far as we know. Phoebe said that so you would do exactly what you're doing."
"I should've known," Chandler said and sighed. "Rachel would've told me if Monica had said something about Richard. Well, I'm here now. I'm not going back home until I've at least had a chance to talk to Monica, if she'll talk to me."
"Good luck, man. I hope this works out for you guys."
"Thanks. Tell Phoebe I'll deal with her when I get back."
Joey laughed. "Sure, dude. Whatever you say."
"I gotta go," Chandler said.
"So, what did he say?" Phoebe asked, when Joey was off the phone. "Was he mad? Like really, really mad?"
"I don't think so. He sounded kinda strange. But he did say he'd deal with you when he got back. I'm sorry, Pheebs, but I just didn't want him to think he was competing with Richard when he's not."
"Oh, well," Phoebe said airily. "What do I care? It's only Chandler."
**
Early in the afternoon, Monica decided to head to Sapphire Beach. She realized this might be her only chance to snorkel; she decided not to pass it up. The beach was crowded when she arrived. She figured she'd never find Daniel, but that didn't stop her from asking one of their guides how to go about getting snorkeling equipment.
When she had everything she needed, including an underwater camera, she headed for the bluest water she'd ever seen. So inviting, she thought, as her bare feet sank deeper into the warm sand. After putting on her equipment, she quickly found herself waist deep in water, ready to view the exotic underwater life.
Fish of every size, shape and color swam by her. Some stopped for a moment thinking she would feed them. When she stepped away or snapped a picture, they moved on, splashing her with their fins. Completely in awe, she finally came up for some much-needed air. She removed her mask and snorkel to wipe her face and found herself staring into Daniel's emerald green eyes.
"I knew you'd make it here eventually," he said and smiled. "This beach is too awesome to miss."
"I agree. I just saw the most colorful, vibrant fish. I'm so glad you told me about this beach and that our guide gave me a camera to use."
"I have another fantastic place to take you to if you'd like."
"Sure," Monica said, the day in the sun and water helping to revive her, "I'm up for anything."
"Even some hiking?"
She nodded.
"May I?" Daniel asked, holding out his hand to take hers. "We'll return our equipment, dry ourselves off, and then I'll take you to the best place."
She slipped her small hand into his larger one and felt the immediate warmth.
"Lead the way."
**
Two hours later, Monica and Daniel sat at an outdoor café at the top of St. Peter Mountain, overlooking the entire island.
"I gotta get pictures of this," she enthused. "I can't believe how gorgeous it is here. The gang back home will never believe..."
Once more her voice trailed off and once more Daniel knew why.
"Here," he said, trying his hardest to distract her, "drink some of your banana daiquiri. It's the trademark of this particular place."
**
The sun began its descent when Monica and Daniel, holding hands once more, walked back towards the "Coral Sea".
"You seem truly relaxed for the first time since I've met you," Daniel observed. "I told you those daiquiris would do wonders for you."
Monica laughed. "I only had one, and I didn't finish that. This has been nice. I've really enjoyed myself, for the first time in I don't know how long."
"We still have four more days and another stop at St. Croix. If you want, we can plan to spend our remaining time together."
Monica looked up at him, the green in his eyes heightened against his tanned complexion. "I think I'd like that," she said, beginning to realize just how much his idea appealed to her.
**
Because much of the crew was spending the day in St. Thomas, Chandler had been referred to several people before he finally spoke to the right person who showed him to his cabin.
"You're welcome to tour St. Thomas for about an hour, if you'd like. We're set to leave in three hours."
"That's okay. I'd rather just stay on the ship."
"We have everything you need. The dining room is open, you can order room service..."
"Thanks. I'll look around. I want to familiarize myself with my surroundings."
"Of course. If you need anything, just ask."
Chandler walked around, not really knowing what exactly he expected to find. He figured Monica had spent the day in St. Thomas. A part of him hoped she was alone, but another part of him hoped she hadn't been spending all her time holed up in her cabin.
Despite what Joey had said, Chandler wouldn't have been at all surprised to round a corner and find Richard staring at him. That's just the kind of luck he had.
He didn't feel the least bit hungry, but the thought of a beer made his mouth water. He found the bar, slid onto a stool, and ordered a cold draft.
"You're one of the few who didn't leave the ship," the bartender commented.
"Actually, I just got here."
"We don't have that happen too often. Did you get delayed?"
"Something like that."
"You missed one of the favorite stops on this cruise."
"Is that right? Well, that's the way my luck has been..."
Chandler stopped mid-sentence when he heard her unmistakable laugh. Setting the frosty mug on the counter, he turned around to make certain he wasn't hearing things and received the biggest shock of his life.
No, it most certainly wasn't Richard, but there she was. There was Monica, the woman he loved, holding hands and smiling up at a man he'd never seen before.
Daniel's steps ceased; Monica wanted to know why. Her eyes followed his and for just a second, her world and her heart stopped. Standing a few away, confusion clearly written in his blue eyes, was Chandler. Monica expelled the breath she didn't realize she had been holding. What was he doing here?